Rogier Gruys

Rogier Gruys is a Naturalist and nature photographer with a professional background spanning Arctic ecology, conservation and tourism development. Born and raised in the Netherlands, he moved to Canada to pursue undergraduate and master’s degrees focused on Arctic and winter ecology.

Following his academic training, Rogier spent a decade working on international development projects in countries including Ghana, Indonesia, Mongolia and Bhutan. He later worked for five years with Canada’s national tourism marketing organization, contributing to tourism development initiatives.

Rogier went on to combine his interests in conservation and tourism with Parks Canada, first supporting tourism development in Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies and later managing the visitor program for Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site on Haida Gwaii, off the coast of British Columbia.

In 2024, Rogier retired from Parks Canada and began a new chapter as a Naturalist and guide aboard expedition ships, specializing in polar and North Atlantic regions. Alongside his guiding work, he shares the landscapes he works in through photography, with images used by Parks Canada, tourism organizations and published in travel magazines and books.

Rogier is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and an International Member of The Explorers Club. When not on board, he spends as much time as possible outdoors and enjoys working across languages and cultures in the field.